1
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest another moralizing tale filled with jejune platitudes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word jejune distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of jejune are banal, flat, inane, insipid, and vapid. While all these words mean "devoid of qualities that make for spirit and character," jejune suggests a lack of rewarding or satisfying substance.

a jejune and gassy speech

When might banal be a better fit than jejune?

While the synonyms banal and jejune are close in meaning, banal stresses the complete absence of freshness, novelty, or immediacy.

a banal tale of unrequited love

Where would flat be a reasonable alternative to jejune?

While in some cases nearly identical to jejune, flat applies to things that have lost their sparkle or zest.

although well-regarded in its day, the novel now seems flat

In what contexts can inane take the place of jejune?

The words inane and jejune are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inane implies a lack of any significant or convincing quality.

an inane interpretation of the play

When is insipid a more appropriate choice than jejune?

The words insipid and jejune can be used in similar contexts, but insipid implies a lack of sufficient taste or savor to please or interest.

an insipid romance with platitudes on every page

When would vapid be a good substitute for jejune?

In some situations, the words vapid and jejune are roughly equivalent. However, vapid suggests a lack of liveliness, force, or spirit.

an exciting story given a vapid treatment

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for jejune
Adjective
  • The entire family is outraged, but Peter insists that the film is slow, boring and essentially, overrated.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Recently, Jennifer Lopez has been a big fan of natural manicures, which are anything but boring.
    Lea Hüttinger, Glamour, 20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • But the fanbases of those games are not buying it, and have undergone a campaign to embarrass Musk as much as possible about his claims, dragging him into childish internet fights.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Editor’s picks Bad Bunny can’t help but revel in the childish joy of being back home, and the euphoric title track sums this feeling up.
    Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • There are no more stupid questions and an open, supportive, and curious culture evolves.
    Darpan Munjal, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
  • The cliché that Americans are stupid and lazy is as pernicious as the cliché that teenagers are, well, stupid and lazy.
    John Hodgman, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • People with leukemia often have a high number of immature white blood cells called myeloblast, which are not usually present in the blood.
    Doru Paul, Health, 10 Jan. 2025
  • These immature cells can develop into different types of blood cells, including white blood cells (WBCs), central to immune function.8 Getting sufficient and consistent sleep can help make your body more resistant to disease and infection.
    Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • In addition to her tiring routine of delivering disappointment, Hadoula also has to contend with her own troubles in the form of a vision of her deceased mother (Maria Protoppapa).
    Ryan Swen, Variety, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Image Piloting a firefighting aircraft is sweaty, tiring work, Mr. Mattiacci said.
    Yan Zhuang, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The travails of these people, including a suspenseful interrogation sequence sending Eunice and her adolescent daughter, their heads wrapped in black sackcloth, to the very place Rubens was seen recently.
    Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Eugene Arnold, a child and adolescent psychiatrist with Ohio State University, says the evidence for some dyes is stronger than others.
    Allison Aubrey, NPR, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Randle has often been slow to close out on 3-point shooters and inattentive off the ball.
    Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025
  • The Israel Defense Forces have been slow to withdraw from their position in the southern part of Lebanon despite a Nov. 27 ceasefire deal that gave the Lebanese Army and the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon exclusive jurisdiction over the region.
    Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Troubled juvenile hall gets another lifeline after judge punts decision on closure.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Listen to this article A state prison, a juvenile detention facility, three county jails and a federal detention center sit just outside the Border 2 fire’s evacuation zone.
    Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Jejune.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jejune. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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